The Des Moines school’s peer-assessment survey score was 1.9. School deans, directors and other department leaders provided these assessments, which were based on a scale of marginal to outstanding (1 to 5).

The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration and the Association (NASPAA) for Public Policy Analysis and Management provided the lists of schools to be surveyed by U.S. News.

Those who want further information about earning Master of Public Administration or Master of Public Policy degrees can go to the NASPAA’s website.

U.S. News conducted the surveys in fall of 2018

---

Top Public Affairs Programs in the U.S.

Rank

School

City

Peer Assessment Review

1 (tie)

Indiana University-Bloomington (O'Neill)

Bloomington

4.4

1 (tie)

Syracuse University

Syracuse, N.Y.

4.4

3 (tie)

Harvard University

Cambridge, Mass.

4.2

3 (tie)

University of Southern California

Los Angeles

4.2

5 (tie)

University of Georgia

Athens

4.1

5 (tie)

University of Washington

Seattle

4.1

7 (tie)

New York University

New York City

4.0

7 (tie)

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley

4.0

7 (tie)

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor

4.0

10 (tie)

Princeton University

Princeton, N.J.

3.9

10 (tie)

University of Chicago

Chicago

3.9

10 (tie)

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis

3.9

10 (tie)

University of Texas-Austin

Austin

3.9

14 (tie)

American University

Washington, D.C.

3.8

14 (tie)

Arizona State University

Phoenix

3.8

14 (tie)

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh

3.8

14 (tie)

George Washington University

Washington, D.C.

3.8

14 (tie)

Ohio State University

Columbus

3.8

14 (tie)

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles

3.8

14 (tie)

University of Kansas

Lawrence

3.8

21 (tie)

Columbia University

New York City

3.7

21 (tie)

Georgia State University

Atlanta

3.7

21 (tie)

University at Albany-SUNY

Albany, N.Y.

3.7

21 (tie)

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill

3.7

25 (tie)

Duke University

Durham, N.C.

3.6

25 (tie)

Florida State University

Tallahassee

3.6

25 (tie)

Georgetown University

Washington, D.C. #25 in Best Public Affairs Programs (tie)

3.6

25 (tie)

University of Colorado-Denver

Denver

3.6

25 (tie)

University of Kentucky

Lexington

3.6

25 (tie)

University of Maryland-College Park

College Park

3.6

25 (tie)

University of Nebraska-Omaha

Omaha

3.6

25 (tie)

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison

3.6

33 (tie)

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Newark

Newark

3.5

33 (tie)

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station

3.5

35 (tie)

Cornell University

Ithaca, N.Y.

3.4

35 (tie)

University of Arizona

Tucson

3.4

35 (tie)

University of Illinois-Chicago

Chicago

3.4

35 (tie)

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

3.4

39 (tie)

CUNY-Baruch College

New York City

3.3

39 (tie)

Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta

3.3

39 (tie)

Indiana University-Purdue University

Indianapolis

3.3

39 (tie)

Johns Hopkins University

Washington, D.C.

3.3

39 (tie)

University of Delaware

Newark

3.3

39 (tie)

University of Virginia

Charlottesville

3.3

39 (tie)

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond

3.3

39 (tie)

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg

3.3

47 (tie)

George Mason University

Arlington, Va.

3.2

47 (tie)

North Carolina State University

Raleigh

3.2

47 (tie)

Northern Illinois University

DeKalb

3.2

47 (tie)

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick

New Brunswick

3.2

47 (tie)

University of Connecticut

Hartford

3.2

47 (tie)

University of Missouri

Columbia

3.2

53 (tie)

Brigham Young University-Provo

Provo, Utah

3.1

53 (tie)

Brown University

Providence, R.I.

3.1

53 (tie)

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore

3.1

53 (tie)

Portland State University

Portland, Ore.

3.1

53 (tie)

University of Central Florida

Orlando

3.1

53 (tie)

University of Texas-Dallas

Richardson

3.1

53 (tie)

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tenn.

3.1

60 (tie)

Brandeis University

Waltham, Mass.

3.0

60 (tie)

CUNY--John Jay College

New York City

3.0

60 (tie)

Cleveland State University

Cleveland

3.0

60 (tie)

Naval Postgraduate School

Monterey, Calif.

3.0

60 (tie)

University of Baltimore

Baltimore

3.0

60 (tie)

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Amherst

3.0

60 (tie)

University of North Carolina-Charlotte

Charlotte

3.0

60 (tie)

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

3.0

68 (tie)

Binghamton University-SUNY

Binghamton, N.Y.

2.9

68 (tie)

Claremont Graduate University

Claremont, Calif.

2.9

68 (tie)

New School

New York City

2.9

68 (tie)

Ohio University

Athens

2.9

68 (tie)

University of Alabama-Birmingham

Birmingham

2.9

68 (tie)

University of Utah

Salt Lake City

2.9

74 (tie)

Florida International University

Miami

2.8

74 (tie)

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State

2.8

74 (tie)

Northeastern University

Boston

2.8

74 (tie)

Pepperdine University

Malibu, Calif.

2.8

74 (tie)

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla

2.8

74 (tie)

University of Massachusetts-Boston

Boston

2.8

74 (tie)

University of Oklahoma

Norman

2.8

74 (tie)

University of Oregon

Eugene

2.8

82 (tie)

Auburn University

Auburn, Ala.

2.7

82 (tie)

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton

2.7

82 (tie)

Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge

2.7

82 (tie)

Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg

Middletown

2.7

82 (tie)

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Camden

Camden

2.7

82 (tie)

San Diego State University

San Diego

2.7

82 (tie)

University of Illinois-Springfield

Springfield

2.7

82 (tie)

University of Maryland-Baltimore County

Baltimore

2.7

82 (tie)

University of North Texas

Denton

2.7

82 (tie)

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Ind.

2.7

82 (tie)

Villanova University

Villanova, Penn.

2.7

82 (tie)

West Virginia University

Morgantown

2.7

94 (tie)

Boise State University

Boise, Idaho

2.6

94 (tie)

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles

2.6

94 (tie)

College of Charleston

Charleston, S.C.

2.6

94 (tie)

College of William and Mary

Williamsburg, Va.

2.6

94 (tie)

Grand Valley State University

Grand Rapids, Mich.

2.6

94 (tie)

San Francisco State University

San Francisco

2.6

94 (tie)

University of California-Riverside

Riverside

2.6

94 (tie)

University of Denver

Denver

2.6

94 (tie)

University of Louisville

Louisville, Ky.

2.6

94 (tie)

University of Missouri-Kansas City

Kansas City

2.6

94 (tie)

University of New Mexico

Albuquerque

2.6

94 (tie)

University of San Francisco

San Francisco

2.6

94 (tie)

University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville

2.6

94 (tie)

University of Vermont

Burlington

2.6

94 (tie)

Wayne State University

Detroit

2.6

109 (tie)

Appalachian State University

Boone, N.C.

2.5

109 (tie)

Kansas State University

Manhattan

2.5

109 (tie)

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Va.

2.5

109 (tie)

Oregon State University

Corvallis

2.5

109 (tie)

San Jose State University

San Jose, Calif.

2.5

109 (tie)

Suffolk University

Boston

2.5

109 (tie)

University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa

2.5

109 (tie)

University of Arkansas

Little Rock

2.5

109 (tie)

University of Hawaii-Manoa

Honolulu

2.5

109 (tie)

University of La Verne

La Verne, Calif.

2.5

109 (tie)

University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Las Vegas

2.5

109 (tie)

University of New Hampshire

Durham

2.5

109 (tie)

University of South Carolina

Columbia

2.5

109 (tie)

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kan.

2.5

123 (tie)

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach

2.4

123 (tie)

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento

2.4

123 (tie)

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino

2.4

123 (tie)

DePaul University

Chicago

2.4

123 (tie)

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Va.

2.4

123 (tie)

Seton Hall University

South Orange, N.J.

2.4

123 (tie)

University of Arkansas-Little Rock

Little Rock

2.4

123 (tie)

University of Colorado-Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs

2.4

123 (tie)

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tenn.

2.4

123 (tie)

University of Miami

Coral Gables, Fla.

2.4

123 (tie)

University of North Carolina-Greensboro

Greensboro

2.4

123 (tie)

University of North Carolina-Wilmington

Wilmington

2.4

123 (tie)

University of South Florida

Tampa

2.4

123 (tie)

University of Texas-Arlington

Arlington

2.4

123 (tie)

University of Texas-San Antonio

San Antonio

2.4

123 (tie)

Willamette University

Salem, Ore.

2.4

139 (tie)

Auburn University-Montgomery

Montgomery, Ala.

2.3

139 (tie)

CUNY-City College

New York City

2.3

139 (tie)

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton

2.3

139 (tie)

Kent State University

Kent, Ohio

2.3

139 (tie)

Marist College

Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

2.3

139 (tie)

Seattle University

Seattle

2.3

139 (tie)

Texas Tech University

Lubbock

2.3

139 (tie)

University of Missouri-St. Louis

St. Louis

2.3

139 (tie)

University of New Orleans

New Orleans

2.3

139 (tie)

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks

2.3

139 (tie)

Washington State University

Vancouver

2.3

139 (tie)

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo

2.3

151 (tie)

Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green, Ohio

2.2

151 (tie)

CUNY--Hunter College

New York City

2.2

151 (tie)

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona

2.2

151 (tie)

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson

2.2

151 (tie)

College at Brockport--SUNY

Rochester, N.Y.

2.2

151 (tie)

Drexel University

Philadelphia

2.2

151 (tie)

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro

2.2

151 (tie)

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, Ga.

2.2

151 (tie)

New Mexico State University

Las Cruces

2.2

151 (tie)

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff

2.2

151 (tie)

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale

2.2

151 (tie)

University of Dayton

Dayton, Ohio

2.2

151 (tie)

University of Houston

Houston

2.2

151 (tie)

University of Texas-El Paso

El Paso

2.2

165 (tie)

Augusta University

Augusta, Ga.

2.1

165 (tie)

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield

2.1

165 (tie)

California State University-Northridge

Northridge

2.1

165 (tie)

Central Michigan University

Mt. Pleasant

2.1

165 (tie)

East Carolina University

Greenville, N.C.

2.1

165 (tie)

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond

2.1

165 (tie)

Evergreen State College

Olympia, Wash.

2.1

165 (tie)

Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

Monterey, Calif.

2.1

165 (tie)

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights

2.1

165 (tie)

Oakland University

Rochester, Mich.

2.1

165 (tie)

University of Alaska-Anchorage

Anchorage

2.1

165 (tie)

University of Montana

Missoula

2.1

165 (tie)

University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras

San Juan

2.1

165 (tie)

University of South Dakota

Vermillion

2.1

165 (tie)

University of Wyoming

Laramie

2.1

165 (tie)

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester

2.1

165 (tie)

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Ky.

2.1

182 (tie)

Ball State University

Muncie, Ind.

2.0

182 (tie)

Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, Mass.

2.0

182 (tie)

Clark Atlanta University

Atlanta

2.0

182 (tie)

Clark University

Worcester, Mass.

2.0

182 (tie)

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti

2.0

182 (tie)

Eastern Washington University

Spokane, Wash.

2.0

182 (tie)

Jackson State University

Jackson, Miss.

2.0

182 (tie)

Montana State University

Bozeman

2.0

182 (tie)

Pace University

White Plains, N.Y.

2.0

182 (tie)

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

2.0

182 (tie)

Tennessee State University

Nashville

2.0

182 (tie)

University of Akron

Akron, Ohio

2.0

182 (tie)

University of Idaho

Moscow

2.0

182 (tie)

University of Michigan-Dearborn

Dearborn

2.0

182 (tie)

University of North Florida

Jacksonville

2.0

182 (tie)

University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga

2.0

182 (tie)

Wright State University

Dayton, Ohio

2.0

199 (tie)

California State University-Chico

Chico

1.9

199 (tie)

California State University-East Bay

Hayward

1.9

199 (tie)

California State University-Fresno

Fresno

1.9

199 (tie)

California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock

1.9

199 (tie)

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

1.9

199 (tie)

Hamline University

St. Paul, Minn.

1.9

199 (tie)

Indiana State University

Terre Haute

1.9

199 (tie)

Indiana University-South Bend

South Bend

1.9

199 (tie)

LIU Brooklyn

New York City

1.9

199 (tie)

Minnesota State University-Mankato

Mankato

1.9

199 (tie)

Park University

Kansas City, Mo.

1.9

199 (tie)

Purdue University-Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, Ind.

1.9

199 (tie)

SUNY Buffalo State

Buffalo, N.Y.

1.9

199 (tie)

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi

1.9

199 (tie)

Texas Southern University

Houston

1.9

199 (tie)

Texas State University

San Marcos

1.9

199 (tie)

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, N.C.

1.9

216 (tie)

Arkansas State University-Jonesboro State University

Jonesboro

1.8

216 (tie)

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers

1.8

216 (tie)

Gallaudet University

Washington, D.C.

1.8

216 (tie)

Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, Ga.

1.8

216 (tie)

Grambling State University

Grambling, La.

1.8

216 (tie)

Idaho State University

Pocatello

1.8

216 (tie)

Indiana University-Northwest

Gary

1.8

216 (tie)

Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville, Ala.

1.8

216 (tie)

LIU Post

Brookville, N.Y.

1.8

216 (tie)

Mills College

Oakland, Calif.

1.8

216 (tie)

Savannah State University

Savannah, Ga.

1.8

216 (tie)

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Edwardsville

1.8

216 (tie)

Southern University and A&M College

Baton Rouge, La.

1.8

216 (tie)

Southern Utah University

Cedar City

1.8

216 (tie)

University of Alaska-Southeast

Juneau

1.8

216 (tie)

University of Michigan-Flint

Flint

1.8

216 (tie)

University of Rhode Island - Rhode Island College

Providence

1.8

216 (tie)

University of West Georgia

Carrollton

1.8

216 (tie)

Valdosta State University

Valdosta, Ga.

1.8

235 (tie)

Bowie State University

Bowie, Md.

1.7

235 (tie)

Golden Gate University

San Francisco

1.7

235 (tie)

Governors State University

University Park, Ill.

1.7

235 (tie)

Kentucky State University

Frankfort

1.7

235 (tie)

Morehead State University

Morehead, Ky.

1.7

235 (tie)

North Carolina Central University

Durham

1.7

235 (tie)

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

1.7

235 (tie)

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg

1.7

235 (tie)

St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud, Minn.

1.7

235 (tie)

Texas A&M International University

Laredo

1.7

235 (tie)

Troy University

Montgomery, Ala.

1.7

235 (tie)

University of Central Oklahoma

Edmond

1.7

235 (tie)

University of Houston-Central Campus

Houston

1.7

235 (tie)

University of North Carolina-Pembroke

Pembroke

1.7

235 (tie)

University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley

Brownsville

1.7

235 (tie)

University of the District of Columbia

Washington, D.C.

1.7

235 (tie)

University of the Pacific

Sacramento, Calif.

1.7

235 (tie)

West Virginia State University

Institute

1.7

235 (tie)

Albany State University

Albany, Ga.

1.6

253 (tie)

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City

1.6

253 (tie)

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Teaneck , N.J.

1.6

253 (tie)

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

1.6

253 (tie)

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago

1.6

253 (tie)

Kean University

Union, N.J.

1.6

253 (tie)

Marshall University

Huntington, W.V.

1.6

253 (tie)

Metropolitan College of New York

New York City

1.6

253 (tie)

Metropolitan State University

St. Paul, Minn.

1.6

253 (tie)

Roger Williams University

Bristol, R.I.

1.6

253 (tie)

University of New Haven

West Haven, Conn.

1.6

253 (tie)

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville

1.6

253 (tie)

Widener University

Chester, Penn.

1.6

266 (tie)

California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo

1.5

266 (tie)

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, Ala.

1.5

266 (tie)

Columbus State University

Columbus, Ga.

1.5

266 (tie)

Delaware Valley University

Doylestown, Penn.

1.5

266 (tie)

Merrimack College

North Andover, Mass.

1.5

266 (tie)

Mississippi Valley State University

Itta Bena

1.5

266 (tie)

Norwich University

Northfield, Vt.

1.5

266 (tie)

Regent University

Virginia Beach, Va.

1.5

266 (tie)

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, Mich.

1.5

266 (tie)

Tarleton State University

Fort Worth, Texas

1.5

266 (tie)

University of Louisiana-Monroe

Monroe

1.5

266 (tie)

University of Texas-Tyler

Tyler

1.5

266 (tie)

Westfield State University

Westfield, Mass.

1.5

279 (tie)

Barry University

Miami Shores, Fla.

1.4

279 (tie)

Post University

Waterbury, Conn.

1.4

279 (tie)

South University

Savannah, Ga.

1.4

279 (tie)

St. Peter's University

Jersey City, N.J.

1.4

279 (tie)

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa

1.4

284

Walden University

Minneapolis

1.3

285

Capella University

Minneapolis

1.2

Source: U.S. News

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